Palisades Visitor Center

About Palisades Visitor Center

The facility has a parking lot and deck, along with the interpretive center, and is maintained by the Santa Catalina Ranger District.The Visitor Center is where people can gain a brief introduction to the natural and cultural history of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Mount Lemmon. The material and staff available are there to ensure that the visitors will have a safe and enjoyable stay and will treat the natural resources with respect and appreciation.The Palisades Visitor Center is located adjacent to the parking lot. The staff provides information about trails on the mountain, as well as answering questions about plants and animals common to the area. Books, mementos of Mount Lemmon and Southern Arizona and inexpensive maps of Mount Lemmon and the surrounding area are offered for sale through the Public Lands Interpretive Association. Free Forest Service information is also available in the bookstore.

How to Get There

The Palisades Visitor Center is located at milepost 19.9 on the Catalina Highway.

Plan Your Visit to Palisades Visitor Center

Heading to Palisades Visitor Center? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)